Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-22


and fill proud and noble station. The
temptation was too great; she could moi
resist it; and she married him who would
not be refused. For years they were
happy-too happy, for a more tender
affectionate husband never lived. But
alas in en- evil hour, through her SON
whom she had, in her folly, permitted to
| bear his fathers name, as she had done
| for she was not SO proficient in crime as
to know how to assume an alias THE
first husband, who had not been slain, made
his appearance. Terrified to death, in
stead of confessing all and throwing her
self upon the generosity of her noble hus-
band, she temporized with the wretch,
who now came like ghoul to feed upon
her very life-gaVe him money, and
pleaded with him to go away and preserve
her secret for the sake of her son. But
the villain, after receiving his brides, con-
tinued his prosecutions, made one visit
too many, received his death wound, as
you say, and revealed the secret. Now,
sir, you know ell. Send for the wretch,
or go to him, and ask him by what means
and false pretenses he won the hand of
Harriet Sontleroy."
The unhappy woman ceased speaking.
l. uCu q suppressed SUI was uCdlOy 6uu d.
she looked up she saw Paul standing on
the threshold of the door, where he had
listened to her sad and mournful tale.
"My son!" she gssped.
"My noble true-hearted mother
Though all the world condemn you l will
mott" cried the young man, and he rushed
to her side, throwing his arms around
her neck and raining both tears and
kisses upon her pale face,
Meanwhile the planter stood and re-
garded both of them stormy and atten-
lively. When the first paroxysm of feel
ing was over he looked Paul in the eye
and asked:
"Did you know ought of this matter,
sir, before you heard the confession of
John Malerson?"
No, sir; as heaven hears me did not /!
If had l should not have thus long been
recipient of your bounty, but should
have gone forth alone into the world to
carve out name and fortune for myself
As it is, shall, after l have done nv
duty, and aided you IN recovering your
daughter-not for myself, sir, but for
you; for 1 renounce all claim to her hand
/ shall, after that, sir, trouble you no
more with my presence. l only hope that
l shall be so happy as to fall in the COM
ing conflict with the Indians. Mother,
you must stay no longer here; will pro-
vide Tor you elsewhere-if l live "
The feelings of the planter Were deeply
touched; his sternness melted away, and
tears came out upon his pale and rigid
cheek.
"Neither of you shall ever leave my
roof with my consent" he said, in voice
half siifed with emotion. Harriet, do
not blame you. Paul, love you as il You
were my own son. Your father, if must
call him such, will soon be dead, and with
him she'll the secret be forever buried.
never will allude to it again"
A wild aud fearful shout was heard out
side the door at that moment, and the
next instant Malerson-who,a raving ma
mac, had burst away from his guard
rushed into the room.
FWho says old Jack Malerson is going
to die?" he yelled. "Who says old Jack
will die? It's bloody lie! He'll never
die! He's too game to die"
With his head and face covered with
blood, CHASTITY pale where it was not
stained, his eyes wild and glazing, his
hair matted and torn, he was 8 terrible
object TO look upon. Both the planter
and Paul stood aghsst as he staggered
to the center of the room, and Mrs. De
loTme shrirked in speechless horror and
hid her face beneath the bedclothes.
"That was Hat FOntleroy's scream"
he cried; "Hat FonteEoy oh, but she
was q pretty girl when ! found her in
Troy! Have you murdered her, you old
devil?"
And as he said this he bounded toward
Mr.. Delorme, who sprsTg aside, and the
miserable wretch fell to the floor, Just as
Major Mccullough, Ada McAlpin and sew
eral others entered the room in pursuit of
him
"Seize him, men, and take him back to
the guardhouse!" said the major to a
couple Of the rangers who had entered
with him.
Hell not require any guard any
more, SIR" said one of the men who took
hold of him to raise him up. "He is as
dead as a log"
1t was true; in the fury of that last
struggle life had left him.
"Take him up gently and bear him out. |
He was bad man, but he shall have de-
cent burial" said Mr. Delorme, with q |
voice.
The rangers obeyed, and the remains of
the Wretche man were taken from the |
room. Major Mccullough and Ada also
went out, leaving only Mr.. Delorme and |
Paul in the room
Harriet" said the planter in a more
Kind and gentle tone than he had used |
,owsrd her for weeks. Harriet, death |
las freed you from him ct last. Look up;
We will yet be happy"
There was 40 reply-not even motion
If the snowy counterpart, which, in her
error, she had drawn over her head.
Both Paul and himself seemed at the
same time to divine what caused her
silence, and low cry of horror escaped
rom their lips as they raised the sheet
rom over her face.
She was indeed free-ffee from all the
lis and prosecutions of this world-free
rom life and its miseriesl
CHAPTER Liz.
OF course, under these terrible circum-
tances, the march of Mccullough and his
aDgers WAS delayed. The dead were to
'e buried-the bereaved to have time to
aim their feelings.
The body Of MalersOn was put in g
offin and buried decently; but 40 mour-
Ter followed it TO the grave. But il was
ifferent with Mrs. Delorme. Her re-
mains were inferred with all the show
which persons in her position generally
eceive: and two there were who followed
er coffin with sad and sorrowful hearts.
Although Paul had never for moment
that she was other that his aunt
ntil the recent deuouement, he had
lways received more than mothers
sre from her; he had never had cause to ,
Hiss mothers love.